PROJECT WOW!

Some design jobs are just way more fun than others. The clients are open to new ideas, the house offers some interesting architectural elements to work with and the budget is large enough to make a dramatic difference while still being important enough that you have to be creative and think outside the box.

This job began in the dining room as shown. The newest additions were the espresso plantation shutters and the rug. The dining table was staying as well as the small chest, but everything else needed to be changed.

First things first, the stripes were painted over with a lovely ecru which immediately gave us a clean slate to work with. Knowing the client as I do, I knew she was still wanting some major drama and wow factor and wasn't seeking an "elegant" and sparse space. My eye kept going to the shape of the ceiling and I knew I wanted to play it up with some color. Deep red was my thought and so, after hours and hours of measuring and erasing pencil marks, even more hours of taping off and re taping, I managed to give her some definite oomph on that ceiling. We had our focal point!

Custom drapes were created with a great textured silk and trimmed out with an earthy acorn style fringe. New lighting in the form of a capiz shell chandelier, new floor lamp and sconces were added. The artwork was selected after much deliberation to accent the area rug and to pull the chocolate brown of the plantation shutters. Finally, we added a chic and inexpensive wall mounted fireplace that uses cans of gel fuel. The client was thrilled with the space and I really feel like I nailed her style and personality. That's the wonderful thing about design...if you're brave enough to step outside the box, you can stop worrying about what everyone else might think when everyday you come home to your space and it is perfectly reflective of who you are.